Andrew Waszak was fourth in innings pitched (91.2) and fifth in ERA (2.36).

May 21, 2013

PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Michigan State baseball had five players garner conference honors, the Big Ten office announced on Tuesday morning. Sophomore Jimmy Pickens led the way and was named second-team All-Big Ten. Both sophomore Blaise Salter and senior Andrew Waszak were named to the All-Big Ten third team. Cam Gibson was named to the All-Freshman team and Jordan Keur was MSU's recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.

Pickens, a West Bloomfield, Mich., native, ranked among the Big Ten in five offensive categories. He finished tied for second in home runs (nine), fourth in RBIs (42), fifth in total bases (103), fifth in slugging percentage (.508) and eighth in doubles (13).

He started all 50 games in right field and was fourth on the team with a .303 average. Pickens led MSU with 20 multi-hit games and 10 game-winning RBIs. Two of his biggest hits of the season came in walk-off fashion against Indiana. Pickens beat the Hoosiers with an RBI single on April 12 and followed that with a solo home run on April 13.

Salter, a Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native, ranked among the Big Ten's best in six offensive categories. He finished fifth in doubles (14), seventh in home runs (5), eighth in slugging percentage (.503), ninth in batting average (.343), 10th in hits (62) and 12th in total bases (91).

Salter started in 46 games, 31 at designated hitter, 13 as catcher and two at first base. He was twice named Big Ten Player of the Week during the season. The first time was following a sweep at Santa Clara, where he hit .667 (8-for-12) with a double, a home run, four RBIs and four runs scored. Against Purdue, he went 7-for-12 with four doubles, one home run and three RBIs.

A Rochester Hills, Mich., native, Waszak led the Spartans on the mound as the Friday starter and among conference leaders in nine categories. He was fourth in innings pitched (91.2), fourth in strikeouts looking (22), fifth in ERA (2.36), seventh in opponent batting average (.234), eighth in walks allowed (18), ninth in wins (6), ninth in earned runs allowed (22), 11th in strikeouts (57) and 11th in runs allowed (32).

Out of 13 starts, 12 were quality appearances and he threw at least six innings in all 13 starts. He tossed two complete games this season and was named Big Ten Picher of the Week twice. He was recognized after allowing just one run and seven hits in eight innings against Indiana. Against Purdue, he allowed seven hits in his second complete game of the season and needed only 88 pitches to do so.

Freshman Cam Gibson checked in at 15th in the Big Ten with a .325 average, the best mark among all conference freshmen. He ranked second among freshmen in runs scored (34), hits (53), slugging (.393), on-base (.387) and steals (12).

Gibson hit exclusively in the lead-off spot and started 40 games this season, 20 in left field. He was third on the team in batting, second in runs scored and second in steals.

Jordan Keur was named MSU's sportsmanship recipient and played an intricate role both on and off the field this season. Keur had started 30 consecutive games and was the Spartans' best hitter before being injured on April 12 against Indiana. He finished his career with a .315 average and started 155 games for MSU. Through 30 games this season he was leading MSU with a .337 average and 20 RBIs